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Boozer Injury Could Throw Wrench Into Chicago’s Plans

Chicago owner Jerry Reinsdorf made news this week when he said his current squad has the potential to win four titles, and while anything is possible, the Bulls should focus on getting one as we’ve seen what predictions can do (see Heat, Miami). The Bulls have been getting an MVP-caliber performance from Derrick Rose as he’s had to do a lot without injured big men Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah, and while Noah is just getting back into game shape, Boozer is headed back to the trainer’s table.

Boozer is listed as day-to-day with a sprained ankle, which happened on Wednesday in a win over Charlotte, and an MRI revealed no ligament damage. However, this can’t be good news for Chicago fans or betting players who were looking to bet on the Bulls as Boozer missed the first 15 games of the season with a hand injury, and then missed another three games in January because of an ailing left ankle, the same ankle he hurt on Wednesday. The trio of Rose, Noah and Boozer have played only 18 games together, racking up a record of 14-4 with their version of a “Big Three”, but they need more games together to establish continuity. We don’t know how long Boozer, who is averaging 18.3 points and 9.6 rebounds, will be out of the lineup, but the stretch run is essentially here and losing Boozer is a big blow for the Bulls. We know Rose has been marvelous all season, and he’ll likely keep it up, but can the Bulls win a title that way? They would have a much better chance if Boozer was in the lineup, and Chicago fans will be on their hands and knees hoping that it’s not that serious.